Pastor Ray Petzhold Message
CHRISTMAS: ITS ALL ABOUT CHARACTER, ISN’T IT?
How Our Character impacts time & eternity!
The Holy Spirit has recorded the Christmas story in such a way so as to emphasize the contrast in character of the main people involved in this amazing history. God’s emphasis in working out His sovereign plan for the salvation of sinners is clearly on those people of high religious & moral character. There is an intentional contrast between the heroes of faith and the main villain, King Herod. Herod seems to embody in himself the major character flaws of lost humanity.
And What a contrast it is: Godliness & Righteousness against the dark background of sin & unrighteousness. The life of those destined for heaven contrasted with the life of one destined for hell. Yes the story of Christmas is all about character. It is our character that will ultimately determine our eternal destiny (John 5:28-29; Matt. 7:17-21). Only Jesus the Son of God, can give us godly character (Gal. 2:20; 2 Cor. 3:18).
Until we understand the true meaning and purpose of the incarnation of the Son of God our character will be more like the villain Herod than the heroes of righteousness (I John 3:5-8).
How we respond to the Christ of Christmas affects our eternal destiny! The Proper response to Christ guarantees your place in His glorious eternal kingdom. Establishing a relationship with Jesus transforms our character. Jesus died on the cross to save us from the penalty of our sins. But He rose from the dead to save us from the power of sin by the Gift of the Holy Spirit Who transforms our character (John 16:13-15; Rom. 8:29; I John 3:2-3 = our completed sanctification).
I.) THE REAL LIFE PEOPLE IN THIS REAL LIFE DRAMA
A.) The People of Faith (Hab. 2:4; I John 3:7; 5:4).
They were righteous but not sinless (Lk.1:20; Rom. 3:23) (see Heb. 11:40; 12:22-23)
CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT GOD’S LOVE FOR THE ELDERLY:
1.) Zacharias (“remembered of Jehovah”) & his
wife Elisabeth (“God of the oath”) were both righteous before God” (Lk. 1:6). Their faith came from the “word of God (Lk. 1:70-79). “By faith they wrought righteousness” (Heb. 11:33).
By faith they experience an especially close relationship with God. They “were filled with the Holy Spirit” (Lk. 1:41, 67)
Their faith empowered them to remain faithful to God despite the fact their prayers seemed unanswered for so long (Lk. 1:7, 13)
CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT GOD’S LOVE FOR BABIES: How amazing is it that God comes into the World as a newborn Baby?
2.) Mary – a virtuous women (Lk. 1:34) and Joseph “a just man” (Matt. 1:19).
Both found favor with God through their faith (Heb. 1:6). Mary’s faith came from hearing the word of the Lord (Lk.1:38, 45; Rom. 10:16). By “faith she received strength to conceive seed” (Heb. 11:11).
Her faith empowered her to experience a close relationship with God (“the Lord is with thee” {Lk. 1:28, 46-47}). Her relationship with God empowered her to triumph over the moral compromise of her day. She had a healthy fear of God (Lk. 1:50).
CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT GOD’S LOVE FOR THE VISIONARY PRAYER WARRIORS WHO INSPIRE OTHERS TO FULFILL THEIR GOD GIVEN PURPOSE IN LIFE.
3.) Simeon & Anna were “just and devout” (Matt. 2:6; 36-38) and thus were also living by faith (Habbakuk 2:4).
By faith they trusted in God’s promises concerning the future. By faith they obtained promises” (Heb. 11:33). Their faith empowered them to experience a close relationship with God by the Holy Spirit (Luke 2:25-27).
That relationship empowered him to remain faithful to God his whole life even though his greatest experience doesn’t come till near the end of his life.
CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT GOD’S LOVE FOR THE STRANGER & FOREIGNER
4.) The wise men from the east (Matt. 2:1-12).
Are you wise? Wise people seek Jesus with
all their heart “to worship him” (Matt. 2:2).
“Ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart” (Jer. 29:14). That desire to find the savior empowered the wise men to make a difficult and dangerous journey of at least two years (Matt. 2:16). “By faith they endured as seeing him who is invisible” (Heb. 11:27)
CHRISTMAS IS ABOUT THE STRUGGLE OF GOOD AGAINST EVIL AND THE ULTIMATE TRIUMPH OF GOOD.
B.) The People of the world. The ever so human Herod;
Living life to the fullest his own way. As a famous American song puts it: “I did it my way.” His Spiritual evil was camouflaged by His apparent material success. He used religion to improve his social status and for his own personal gain. There is some of Herod in all of us!
King Herod the Great (37 B.C. – 4 B.C.) Fears King Jesus and orders the Babies in Bethlehem murdered (Matt. 2:16-20). He tried to achieve immortality with great building projects. He began the remodeling of the Temple at Jerusalem (referred to in John 2:20).
One son was Archaelaus (Matt. 2:22). Another son, Herod Antipas (4 B.C. – 44 A.D.) put John the baptist to death (Matt. 14:1-13; Mk. 6:14-29) & Tried Jesus (Lk. 23:11-12). Lust was a great sin of the Herod family with a desire for power. He had no fear of God and dies in great misery (ref. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)
1.) Learn from Herod not to make Christmas a materialistic holiday. Wise men make it a whole hearted search for the Savior
Herod had “a form of godliness, but denied the power thereof” (2 Tim. 3:5). He had no spiritual relationship with God. Herod was a “… lover of pleasures more than a lover of God” (2 Tim. 3:4)
SOME LIFE SAVING LESSONS OF CHRISTMAS:
- Learn from Herod’s son (Herod Antipas not to compromise your
morals “for the temporary pleasures of sin“ (Heb. 11:25).
He marries his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias (Mk. 6:17). This was against the word of God (Lev.20:21). He compromises his morals to save face. He kills John the Baptist because of a rash promise he made to Herodias’s dazzling dancing daughter (Mk. 6:22-25).
- Learn from Herod not to see Jesus as a threat to your plans,
prosperity or position in life. He is threatened by the fact that Jesus
is a King & might eventually rule over him (Matt. 2:3).
- 3. Like Zacharias & Elizabeth (and all people of genuine faith) seek
an especially close relationship with God by Faith
- Like Mary & Joseph live the high moral standard of God’s Word.
Keep your eyes fixed on your eternal rewards (Heb. 11:26; 12:2)
- Like the Wise men have courage to do what is right! (Matt. 2:8,12)
- Like the wise men surrender your plans & wealth to JESUS.
Learn to worship the King of Kings (Matt. 2:11). Like wise men
make your pursuit of Christ a public matter (Matt. 2:1-3).
What Gifts are you giving to Jesus this Christmas?
Remember it is a celebration of His Birthday!